Nvidia Corp., the world’s largest supplier of discrete graphics processing units, reportedly readies two new higher-end graphics processors that are set to be launched late this year and in the first quarter of 2009.

A slide from a presentation by Elsa, a supplier of Nvidia-based graphics cards, shows that Nvidia plans to release code-named GT206 product made using 55nm process technology sometime in late 2008 or early 2009. Another product that the roadmap reveals is code-named GT212, which is set to be produced using 45nm process technology and which is due in Q1 2009 or even later.

The new GT206 chip is positioned as a substitute for Nvidia GeForce GTX 260, hence, is likely to be a version of Nvidia G200/GT200 chip made using thinner process technology that is not supposed to be a top-of-the-range offering. Earlier it was rumoured that Nvidia prepared code-named G200b/GT200b to replace the G200/GT200 due to overwhelming manufacturing costs of the latest flagship graphics processing unit.

Based on the slide, the code-named Nvidia GT212 chip is a replacement for Nvidia GeForce GTX 280 in the premium class segment. No details are given regarding specifications, capabilities or relative performance compared to the currently available graphics processing unit.

Apparently, Nvidia plans to release yet another version of the GeForce 9800: the GeForce 9800 GTX+ HDV, which is likely to offer performance improvements along with certain new features.

The slide was published by Expreview web-site early on Tuesday. Nvidia did not comment on the news-report.